A report from the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), South Korea’s top professional baseball league, revealed that its revenues last year were the largest ever.

The Korea Baseball Organization Properties(KBOP), the marketing wing of the KBO, said that the league earned US$32.9million in baseball-related businesses in 2012, surpassing the previous record US$32million record set in 2011.

The eight KBO clubs drew about 7.15 million fans last year, the first time that the KBO’s attendance reached more than 7 million since the league’s inception in 1982.

The KBOP revealed that the league earned a record US$60.4million in ticket sales in 2012, up from US$52.1million 2011. The league’s TV contract with local broadcasters accounted for US$23.6million, corporate sponsorships brought in US$7.6M. The league gained US$1.9million from merchandise sales.{jcomments on}

British Cycling has reached 50,000 membership mark, more than doubling its membership since 2008, the sports governing body announced today.

The milestone comes during the sports greatest ever summer with just over two weeks until the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.  

British Cycling’s President, Brian Cookson OBE, said: “British Cycling signing up its 50,000 member could not come at a better time for our sport. We’re in the midst of the Tour de France where Britain is hoping to secure its first ever winner, we’re a matter of days away from Team GB competing at London 2012, and we’ve seen a huge spike in cycling participation numbers with over 160,000 more people getting on bikes.

“We of course owe our success to a number of factors – the investment from Sport England and UK Sport, our partner Sky and our sponsors – but critically, we need to thank our members, clubs, regions and volunteers – the people who have helped to get cycling in the best shape it has ever been in.

“There have never been more opportunities to cycle and our ambitions remain high. We’re now looking ahead to the next four year funding cycle where we hope to grow the sport further with more rises in participation, building of state-of-the-art facilities, and inspiring tens of thousands more members to join us on the journey.”

In April 2007, British Cycling membership was at just 20,000 members. Last September, the sports governing body announced that membership had doubled to 40,000. Today’s announcement has added another 10,000 people to its member count. 

Four time Olympic champion and British Cycling member, Sir Chris Hoy, said: “I’ve been a member of British Cycling for over 20 years and I’m really proud to be a part of, alongside 50,000 others, the massive growth of the sport and its governing body.

“We’re gearing up for our home Olympics which is going to be an amazing experience for everyone, and British Cycling members should be very proud of the role they’ve played in helping the sport thrive at all levels. Membership isn’t just for people who want to compete – there are benefits for everyone getting on a bike – and I hope the Games will inspire thousands more people to take up cycling.”

From developing the sport in BMX, Mountain Biking, Track and Road to creating entry level cycling opportunities for people of all ages and abilities, through programmes such as Sky Ride, Breeze and Go-Ride, British Cycling is helping drive a cycling boom worth nearly £3 billion to the UK economy.

To facilitate the growing demand for its sport, British Cycling continues to run a range of coaching qualifications and courses and its Go-Ride development programme supports young people in over 250 clubs and schools.

It has deployed Regional Events Officers to support its regions in organising and co-ordinating over 3,500 sporting and non-competitive events and work also continues to bring major international cycling events to Britain and to develop cycling facilities.

British Cycling also continues to influence the government and its members have been instrumental in campaigning for road safety, taking important issues to the heart of Whitehall.

British Cycling membership provides support and benefits to all types of cyclists. Members enjoy discounts from top cycle retailers, cycling publications and get legal support and insurance. Fees are invested straight back into the sport and are used to develop cycling facilities, future talent and grow participation.

The European Hockey Federation (EHF) and England Hockey Board (EHB) have announced that England has been selected as the host of the women’s and men’s EuroHockey Championships 2015.

The Championships, which will take place in August 2015 at Lee Valley Hockey Centre, will be the first major international tournament to be held in the Olympic Park after the London 2012 Olympic Games and represent the next stage in the EHB’s plans for establishing a long lasting legacy for hockey.

The successful bid was developed by the EHB with the support of London & Partners’ and UK Sport’s major event teams, together with the Olympic Park Legacy Company and Lee Valley Regional Park Authority. England was selected as host by the EHF at its Board meeting in Bratislava, Slovakia, on 9-10 March.

Hosting major international tournaments is a cornerstone of the EHB’s strategy as it looks to maximise the opportunity afforded to sport by the Olympic Games.  With the inspirational Hockey Nation participation programme rolling out nationwide this spring and 630,000 spectators set to attend hockey matches at London 2012, the EuroHockey Championships 2015 continues the EHB’s commitment to developing an exciting legacy for hockey.

On announcing England as the hosts, the EHF President, Marijke Fleuren said, “With great pleasure we announce the unanimous decision of the EHF Executive Board to award the hosting of the EuroHockey Championships, Women and Men, 2015 to the England Hockey Board.

“It was William Shakespeare who said that ‘no legacy is so rich as honesty’. The England Hockey Board has been honest in its promise of a legacy to hockey, not only today with this announcement, but also when they hosted the EuroHockey Championships in 2007 in Manchester at hockey’s legacy venue from the  2002 Commonwealth Games. We in the EHF are delighted to be going back once again to another wonderful hockey legacy venue, this time the Lee Valley Hockey Centre.

“The EuroHockey Championships in 2015 will offer the Champions, Women and Men, the best prize: participation in the XXXI Olympic Summer Games, 2016 in the city of Rio de Janeiro.  I am sure, that under Sally Munday’s inspiring guidance, the EuroHockey Championships 2015, Women and Men, will be a superb experience for the players, officials and spectators. I have the full confidence that the EHF and England Hockey Board will work together in a spirit of co-operation and partnership.”

EuroHockey Championships, Philip Kimberley, Chairman of the England Hockey Board, added: “We’re thrilled to have been named as the host of the EuroHockey Championships 2015, Women and Men.  The bid team, led by Chief Executive Sally Munday, has done an exceptional job in preparing an outstanding bid and I offer my wholehearted congratulations and thanks to Sally, her team and our partners.  This success once again demonstrates our commitment to creating a lasting legacy for people to continue to enjoy playing, watching and volunteering in hockey in this country.”

Hugh Robertson, Minister for Sport and the Olympics, said, “I am delighted that England has been chosen to host the EuroHockey Championships 2015. This adds yet another competition to the portfolio of major sports events that will be hosted in the UK after the Games supporting the Olympic legacy.”  The Minister even had a go on the blue and pink Olympic pitch following the announcement.

Simon Morton, Director of Major Events and International Relations at UK Sport said: “The EuroHockey Championships 2015, Women and Men, was an important target event for UK Sport to secure in terms of delivering our ambition to bring the world’s biggest sporting events to the UK as a legacy from the Games.

“Our investment of £500,000 in National Lottery funds has secured another flagship event for an Olympic venue. This will present a fantastic opportunity for hockey fans and participants, inspired by London 2012, to support our teams as they prepare for the next Olympic Games in Rio in 2016.

“We look forward to working with the England Hockey Board and our other partners to deliver a world class Championships.”

Derrick Ashley, Chairman of Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, which will own and operate the world class Lee Valley Hockey Centre after the Games said: “This is fantastic news for hockey and this major event is a key part of the long term legacy plan for the sport and the venue. The EuroHockey Championships 2015 will be the first major international sports event to be held in the Olympic Park after the 2012 Games and it will provide a major boost to the sport, inspiring youngsters to take up the sport and helping to create a new generation of winners and champions.”

As part of a vibrant sporting and green landscape in the north of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Lee Valley Hockey Centre’s standard 3000 seat capacity will be expanded to hold up to 15,000 spectators with two world class pitches, dedicated media facilities, a supporters village and event management offices. Following the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Lee Valley Hockey Centre will be used by a multitude of users from community groups, schools and clubs to international players for major championships.

The nine day event would comprise of 300 players and team management from approximately ten different nations.  The diversity of London’s communities will ensure a warm welcome and enthusiastic support for every nation participating in the EuroHockey Championships 2015.

by Ismail Uddin

The Unites States of America are to send 1, bronchi 000 Agents, capsule 500 from the FBI to the London 2012 Olympics amid fears of inadequate British.

The news came as Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said surface-to-air missiles could be used to protect the capital’s skies.

Mr Hammond, 55, told the Commons “appropriate ground-to-air defences” could be in put in place if recommended by the military. 

US intelligence chiefs suspect al-Qaida is plotting an attack on the Games, with American athletes their top target.

The decision to bring over hundreds of FBI agents comes after the US believe British organisers have massively underestimated the threat posed by terrorists.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games originally thought that 10,000 guards would be enough, but after a review this summer showed they will need up to 21,000 security officers to protect the 32 sites across the UK.

Security firm G4S has won the contract to police the venues but is running out of time to fill the huge shortfall.

The New Zealand Olympic Committee and their opposite numbers in Russia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will allow the countries to mix through sport and the Olympic Movement.

Following a meeting between Olympic and Government representatives, the MoU was signed by both New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) President Mike Stanley and Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Alexander Zhukov, who is also head of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC). 

Stanley said the meeting was particularly positive and will significantly help New Zealand in their preparations for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.

It follows a similar MoU signed last week between the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) and the ROC.

Stanley said: “We are looking at access for New Zealand athletes to accommodation and training facilities at the Russian Winter Olympic Training Centre in Russia and access to coaching and performance expertise. We were also delighted at the commitment from Mr Zhukov to providing assistance and expertise in the development of a New Zealand House in Sochi for the Olympic Games in 2014.”

The new relationship with the ROC will also provide access to influential business contacts for New Zealanders wishing to do business in Russia. Zhukov also expressed an interest in coaching exchanges between Russia and New Zealand, as well as a desire to bring Russian athletes to New Zealand for competition and training. “The signing of the MoU creates a significant base for the promotion of joint cooperation,” he said.

NZOC secretary general Kereyn Smith believes that the signing of the MoU was a stepping stone in using their international connections to build opportunities for New Zealand business and sport.

“We’re building on the momentum of the Rugby World Cup and we’d like to see the Business Club model grow and develop around the upcoming Olympic Games in both London and Sochi,” said Smith.

Citrus grower Florida’s Natural Brand have agreed a one-year extension of their partnership with the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA).

The terms of the deal will see the Florida’s Natural Brand remain title-sponsors of the 2011 LPGA Futures Tour season opener, the Florida’s Natural Charity Classic.

Additionally, as the association’s official orange juice, Florida’s Natural Brand will present free sampling for fans of the LPGA and LPGA Futures Tour at 12 events throughout the coming year.

LPGA Tour commissioner Mike Whan said of the deal: “The Florida’s Natural Brand team is a great business partner with the LPGA, so it’s easy to work hard for them because they respect and value the relationship, and truly commit to making it work for both sides. It’s a great product association for us, and we’re committed to helping them grow in the U.S. and other markets that they plan to tap.”

Vice-president of sales and marketing at Florida’s Natural Brand, Walt Lincer added: “Working with the LPGA is a great fit for the Florida’s Natural Brand. With the LPGA Futures Tour, we are able to fund raise for our Florida’s Natural Growers Foundation. In the past two years, the Foundation has awarded over US$150,000 to local charities. Our partnership with the LPGA has been a positive one, and a way to directly communicate our Never Imported message to a great audience. We see it as a win-win to work with such a great organisation.”

After acquiring the exclusive rights to distribute the International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cup on television, broadband and the Internet in the United States, Willow TV has announced its plans for the broadcast of the event.

A deal was reached with ESPN STAR Sports (ESS), ICC’s global broadcast and production partner, and Willow has now entered into agreements with DISH Network and DIRECTV, America’s leading satellite television platforms, who will broadcast the World Cup in high-definition.

DISH Network and DIRECTV are the only television providers in the United States that will broadcast the event with Willow distributing via Internet streaming, available across a range of devices.

Vijay Srinivasan, CEO of Willow TV, stated: “The range of viewing options that we have made available for this event is unparalleled, and we look forward to delivering a phenomenal viewing experience to cricket fans throughout the U.S.”

Manu Sawhney, Managing Director, ESPN STAR Sports, added: “We are very pleased to see the increasing popularity of the game in the U.S. and we are committed to bringing the excitement and passion of this iconic cricket tournament to fans in the most comprehensive, engaging and entertaining manner with our signature style production & presentation.”

Bernie Ecclestone, CEO of Formula One Management, has rubbished renewed reports of a possible breakaway in the world’s leading motorsport championship.

Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo raised new speculation at a media lunch where he had stated that teams would not want to be “locked in an F1 prison” ahead of the discussions in place to extend the Concorde Agreement. The current deal will expire at the close of the 2012 season.

The CEO told Reuters: “It’s what he (Montezemolo) says every time he goes to Monza every year. ‘We need more money’. It’s all nonsense.”

Ecclestone added: “They’re not going to break away. They’ve tried it all before. Luca’s a lovely guy but he likes to say these things and then he forgets what he is saying.”